Homemade Transfer Paper

A softer graphite stick creates a darker image.

Transfer paper is essential for any crafter. It allows you to accurately trace an image onto any surface. However, the factory-made version from your local craft store is expensive. There's no reason to spend your money on transfer paper when you can make your own using supplies that you might already have at home. Even if you don't already have some of the supplies, you'll find that they cost less than store-bought transfer paper and can be used over and over again.

Things You'll Need

• Graphite stick
• Image to trace
• Pencil or a sharpened stick

Instructions

1. Rub the graphite stick on a piece of paper, pressing hard and covering the piece of paper as thoroughly as possible. The darker you make your transfer paper, the better it will work.

2. Place the paper graphite-side-down on another piece of paper. Position the images you want to trace on top.

3. Trace the image with a sharp pencil or stick, pressing down as hard as you want. The harder you press, the darker the final image will be.

4. Remove the image and the transfer paper to reveal your traced image.

Tips & Warnings

• If your image isn't dark enough, use softer graphite, such as 2B.

• If your image looks messy, use harder graphite, such as H or F.

• You can reuse this transfer paper multiple times. If it starts to wear out in places, just go over them again with graphite to avoid making a whole new sheet.

• Try using multicolored crayons instead of graphite for kids' projects.

• If you're transferring a large or complicated image, tape the paper down while you work.

References

• Art Is Fun: Transfer Paper